This vitamin is used to aid the diet needs of a pregnant woman or one trying to get pregnant.

Most prenatal vitamins have more folic acid, iron, and calcium than normal adult multivitamins. Taking folic acid before the pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks may help stop some birth defects. A prenatal multivitamin will help you get needed nutrients in your diet.

Take this vitamin with or without food. Take with food or at bedtime if it causes an upset stomach.

Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.

If you are in your first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, you may want to take a prenatal vitamin without extra iron. Iron may cause hard stools (constipation) and upset stomach. Extra iron is most often needed in the second and third trimesters.

Missed Dose

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.

If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.

Keep away from children. Poisonings with iron happen most often in children. First signs of overdose include feeling tired, upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and a weak or fast heartbeat.

Avoid

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Precautions

Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.

Check all drugs you are taking with your doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.

If you have a baby with a birth defect, talk with your doctor before trying to get pregnant. You may need even higher doses of folic acid.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.